Subaru rolls out STI-prettified Forester limited to just 300 units

Subaru's tuning arm, Subaru Tecnica International, has fitted a Forester with its specially manufactured equipment, except it isn't called the Forester STI. Instead, the special vehicle will be known as the Subaru Forester tS, and only 300 examples will be made.

The Forester tS can easily be distinguished from the standard run-of-the-mill units with its black front grille accentuated with an STI badge and a cherry-red pinstripe; STI front and rear under-spoilers; black roof spoiler; large-diameter muffler cutter; metallic silver fog light bezel; black door mirror; black side window frame; metallic silver side cladding; cherry red pinstripe on the rear bumper; and STI and tS badges on the front, side and rear.

The STI bits can also be found in the interior, starting with the gauge cluster and multifunction display. The leather-wrapped steering wheel also carries the STI ornament and is stitched in red. The tuner's logo can also be found on the engine stop/start button, shift lever, and door sill plates. The black leather and suede seats and door trim also have red stitching to echo the traditional STI color, while the instrument panel has a carbon-fiber-like finish.

Of course, the most important STI upgrades are the mechanical bits, and these are the suspension, tower bar, front and rear draw stiffener, rear support subframe, and dedicated electronic and transmission control units. Completing the mechanical upgrades are the 19-inch BBS forged aluminum wheels, 17-inch four-pot front and two-pot rear Brembo ventilated disc brakes, and CVT oil cooler.

Since the Forester tS can only be found on Subaru's Japanese site, we assume it's strictly limited to its home market, with orders being accepted until April 5, 2015, at a price of ¥4.350 million (P1.659 million).